LGBTQ Life Made Social – Bringing the Social Element to LGBTQ Life Worldwide

The day after Christmas brought the launch of Qchella Media
Corporation and the new K-GAY 106.5, The Pride of the Valley, which debuted its
new music format on Wednesday, December 26.

K-GAY, as part of Qchella Media, is a new local radio station at
106.5 FM and streamed worldwide on TuneIn Radio. It serves the
LGBTQ+ community with entertainment and information, including an on-demand
podcasting platform bringing a wide variety of LGBTQ+ content to their audience
in Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and worldwide.

Besides their unique and diverse programming, what sets Qchella
Media Corporation apart is that they are also a non-profit media organization,
where every dollar raised through advertising and their members’ support is
devoted to the content, allowing their team to meet the needs of their diverse
communities in the Coachella Valley.

The change comes with operations of K-GAY 106.5 and sister Smooth
Favorites “CV 104.3” KHCV-FM, coming under the umbrellas of non-profit Qchella
Media Corporation. Led by President Elijah Hartman, the radio operations will
be overseen by longtime broadcast executive Brad Fuhr, owner of the Gay Desert
Guide, which has agreed to provide Qchella with web and event services.
These services include Happy Hours, Events, Nightlife, Business listings
and community news which will also appear on KGAY1065.com.

Chris Shebel, who most recently served as Program Director of KKCW
and KLTH Portland, will program KGAY. Shebel has programmed Dance “Energy
92.7/5” WKIE Chicago, “Energy 92.7” KNGY San Francisco, “103.1 The Eighties
Channel” WXXY Chicago, 92.3 WPRO-FM Providence, and served multiple terms as
Operations Manager of Clear Channel Raleigh.

At the stroke of midnight on December 26th, their
new format and positioning debuted on FM 106.5 and AM 1270 in the Palm Springs
area, while also streaming on TuneIn Radio worldwide.

Businesses will be encouraged to support this not-for-profit
programming with an integrated marketing plan that includes membership in the
Desert Business Association (the Palm Springs area LGBT chamber of
commerce), as well as “Featured Status” on Gay Desert Guide that includes
social media promotions and on-air support of the radio station at varying
levels.

The History of Qchella Media Corporation

In 2017, Elijah Hartman had concerns over the shortage of accurate
and supportive LGBTQ+ media content across the United States, which he felt was
growing daily. Television, radio, and online media highlighted the
increase in homophobia, discrimination, and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ persons.
At the same time, these networks engaged in a large-scale pattern and practice
of stereotyping, misrepresenting, and underrepresenting LGBTQ+ lives in order
to gain ratings. Given Elijah’s background as a media producer, his work
as a business and intellectual property attorney, his non-profit experience,
and his strong family connections in broadcasting, Elijah set out to change
that, by creating the Qchella Media Corporation, the first-ever LGBTQ+ created,
directed, and managed nonprofit media corporation.

In the following months, Elijah ventured to Palm Springs,
California, to speak with community leaders and businesses, and worked to bring
together a robust coalition of LGBTQ+ experts that were willing to help bring
Qchella Media to life. As a LGBTQ+ destination – adored by him and many other
LGBTQ+ persons and allies – Palm Springs represented the perfect place to base
this new nonprofit venture and make a difference for the expansive and diverse
Coachella Valley LGBTQ+ community. After many months of collaboration with
community leaders and LGBTQ+ businesses, including Sunnylands Broadcasting,
LLC, The Gay Desert Guide, and the Desert Business Association, Qchella Media
Corporation was formed.

Their team believes that LGBTQ+ lives are strengthened and
affirmed when their stories are told. As a nonprofit corporation, they work to
support and foster the diverse voices of their LGBTQ+ community. They feel
privileged to produce and broadcast a platform that provides a voice to all
LGTBQ+ people, and to support the coalition of LGBTQ+ owned and friendly
non-profits, businesses, professionals, and corporations all working promote
the health, education, and the strength of their diverse and varied community.

About Qchella Media Corporation
We believe that LGBTQ+ lives are strengthened and affirmed when our stories are
told, broadcast, and heard. As a new nonprofit corporation, we are working to
support and foster the diverse voices of our LGBTQ+ community. As such, Qchella
Media is directed and managed by LGBTQ+ members. We are privileged to produce
and broadcast media to provide a voice to LGBTQ+ peoples, and to support the
coalition of LGBTQ+ owned and friendly non-profits, businesses, professionals,
and corporations — all working to promote the health, education, strength, and
prosperity of our diverse community.
https://KGAY1065.Qchella.com
https://www.Facebook.com/Qchella

Board of
Directors

Jackie Thomas (VP Branding / Board Member)
Jackie joined NIKE in 1999 where she served in a variety of roles both on the
business as well as in Brand marketing. In 2010 she retired as the Global Brand
Director for NIKE basketball. During her tenure she received numerous awards
including an advertising Emmy and the prestigious EFFIE for marketing
excellence. Upon leaving NIKE, Jackie and her spouse founded Thomboy
Properties, Inc. where she works as a real-estate developer. When not
focused on work Jackie is actively involved in her local community with various
charitable organizations. She currently serves as the Vice President of The
Equality California Institute Board of Directors. She received her degree from
The University of California, Berkeley. She was a member of the Cal Women’s
Basketball Team from 1982-86 and is an avid supporter of Cal Athletics. Go
Bears!!!

Brad Fuhr (Vice President / Board Member / General Manager of
Stations 104.3 and 106.5)
Brad is a media maven. He founded Palm Springs’ Gay Desert Guide and Oasis
Marketing Group, connecting local businesses to the LGBTQ community, and
focuses on integrated media platforms that combine traditional media, event
marketing and digital platforms. Impressively, has also worked in the radio and
publishing industries since the age of 15. Over the years Brad has worked for,
formed, and managed many radio stations, including WLTO, Harbor Springs,
WPGU-FM, at the University of Illinois, Bonneville Radio Group and Emmis
Interactive in Chicago, and Sirius OutQ in Los Angeles, Clear Channel radio KTLK
AM 1150, and KBIG and IHeartMedia’s PrideRadio channel. Brad has also worked
with publishing companies, consulting Los Angeles Magazine, Palm Springs Life,
San Diego Magazine as well as LGBT Frontiers magazine on their digital media
and sales strategy.

Elijah Hartman (President / Chairman of the Board)Elijah is a business and intellectual property attorney at DATH,
PLLC. With degrees in Electronic Media and Music Production, Law, and
Intellectual Property and Policy, Elijah works with emerging and established
businesses to protect, preserve, and promote their business success. As an
attorney, Elijah has worked with many types of businesses, including radio
broadcasting and media production companies, consumer product manufacturers,
clothing designers and distributors, food distribution companies, organic
cosmetic manufacturers, software and mobile application developers, social
media networks, commercial lenders, franchise restaurants, and social clubs.
Additionally, over the last fifteen years, Elijah has also worked on behalf of
many nonprofits, including Mercy Corps’, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, New
York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), The Dauphin County Bar
Association, The Seattle Symphony, and others.

David Powell (Secretary / Board Member)
David is the Executive Director of the Desert Business Association, the only
LGBTQ+ business networking organization in the Coachella Valley, and the second
oldest LGBTQ and ally chamber in the country. A fourth generation San
Franciscan, David holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Organizational
Development, and is a professor of Business Management and Leadership. Prior to
coming to the Coachella Valley, he served as Planning Commissioner for the City
of Walnut Creek, and was a manager of external program communications, and
manager of business process improvement at Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Chris Shebel (VP Programming / Board Member / Programming Manager
of 106.5FM)
Chris has over thirty years’ experience programming radio stations, and has
also been a major market morning talent and air talent on legendary stations
like WLS Chicago and KZZP Phoenix. He most recently served as Program Director
of #1 rated K103 & 106.7 The Eagle in Portland, Oregon. Prior
experiences included Operations Manager for iHeartRadio Raleigh, Program
Director of stations in Chicago, Providence, Pittsburgh, West Palm, Louisville
and others. While specializing in Top 40 and Adult Contemporary stations, Chris
has programmed a wide range of formats including one of the first Dance and all
Eighties formatted stations in Chicago and a Dance station in San Francisco.
Chris and his partner presently reside in Palm Springs and Quito, Ecuador.

James Williamson (Board Member)
James has over 25 years of financial management and investment experience.
He has worked in executive management positions in a number of different
industries, including for a chain of education bookstores, a private equity
firm, a US government-funded international relations organization, and a
community development corporation. James has served as a board member and
leader for numerous nonprofit organizations over the past 25 years. James’
political work includes serving as treasurer for several candidates for public
office, volunteering on numerous campaigns and supporting candidates and
organizations who believe in full equality and justice.

2 thoughts on “Qchella Media Corporation Launches K-GAY Radio to Palm Springs and the World”

Can you guys use someone who has been a tv station manager for 17 years, who has worked in broadcasting for about 30 years, is great with computers, who lives in Palm Springs and is a gay married man? Please let me know. Thank you 🙏